A platform named "Bangladesh Against Rape and Oppression" staged a torch procession on Tuesday at the Dhaka University campus to protest the police obstruction of an anti-rape and anti-oppression mass march toward the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The demonstration called for the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for failing to ensure public safety, demanded effective measures to address the ongoing incidents of rape and violence against women across the country, called for immediate justice in all cases of rape and oppression, and sought logical reforms of relevant laws.
The procession, which began at around 7:20pm from Dhaka University’s TSC, passed through VC Chattar, Hall Para, the Arts Building, the Central Library, and Shahbagh before concluding with a brief rally in front of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture.
During the torch procession, the protesters chanted slogans such as "Stop murder, rape, and oppression, people rise up," "Jahangir must resign immediately," and "Rapists must be brought to justice now."
At the brief rally, a 24-hour ultimatum was given for the resignation of the home affairs adviser.
Eden Mohila College student Tilottoma Eti said that, in recent days, no rape cases had received justice.
Instead, those demanding justice were being criticized for their clothing on social media, she added.
She pointed out that a woman wearing a burqa was also a victim of rape recently, proving that clothing is not the issue.
Dhaka University student Shima Akhter said: “After the mass uprising, we are facing online bullying and slut-shaming.” She added that they had only asked for security, and if the authorities could not provide it, they should step down.
Jagannath University student Samira Mou expressed frustration that women could not move freely on the streets.
She asserted that they were demanding security and would continue fighting for women’s safety.
At the end of the brief rally, the protesters announced that they would hold a press conference at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen on Wednesday at around 3pm, where they would present their demands and plans.
